Post by gjwhite66 on Sept 24, 2010 12:21:26 GMT -5
Seems all our teams are having average to below average seasons to start. Though it may only be week 3, they've all shown some serious flaws that need correcting if we can expect anything good going forward.
Patriots - Second half defense has been a problem since last season, and has shown up in both games so far this year. At the same time, the offense has also struggled mightily after halftime, so is it a case of the defense struggling because the offense isn't helping them out? Very well could be. Losing Kevin Faulk for the season with an ACL tear is going to hurt. Thankfully our next game should also be one of the few relatively easy W's we'll have all season.
Vs. Buffalo - Bills haven't beaten NE since 2003, Brady is 15-1 in his career against Buffalo. They have a horrible offensive line, god-awful QBs, and just as bad a defense. They are 31st or 32nd in almost every statistical category. Should help get the Pats back on track.
Ravens - The defense again is carrying the team. Everyone pretty much wrote off the NYJ game as being two tough defenses going at it, but honestly, the Jets defense is completely overrated. Had Baltimore called anything close to a varied gameplan against NY, it would have been a blowout. Hell, if I knew they were going run, run, pass on every set of downs, I'm sure someone on the Jets saw it too. The offense again looked horrible against Cincy. They need Flacco and company to step up. Even Ray Lewis can't keep motivating his side of the ball all season if the offense doesn't hold up their part of the bargain.
Vs. Cleveland - Flacco hasn't lost to the Browns yet, and T Suggs has more sacks against them than any other team. Should spell good things. Plus Cleveland just finds ways to lose. As long as all the minor injuries don't keep Mason, Suggs, and McClain, should be an easy one.
49ers - If someone told me one of these teams would be 0-2 and the other 2-0, I wouldn't have blinked in proclaiming SF to have the better record. Who saw that coming. Singletary has his defense playing like crazy, but again, they are victims of a piss poor offense, who has the talent to be much more effective than they are. Alex Smith is like Chad Pennington, but without the accuracy. That's a big problem, since all Pennington had going for him was crazy accuracy. Not many other choices, though, so you guys are kinda stuck.
at Kansas City - This in all rights should be a victory, but who really knows. The Chiefs do have a dynamic backfield with Jones and Charles, and their special teams are gamebreakers. But their two big name receivers just aren't living up to their hype, and while mobile, Matt Cassell can't avoid all the pressure that San Fran is capable of bringing.
Falcons - Looked really good against Arizona last week, but they are definitely facing a higher caliber opponent this time. Good defenses have always given Matt Ryan trouble, but a healthy Michael Turner should have a good game. Michael Jenkins being able to go also will help, but they have one of the toughest opponents this week.
At New Orleans - This will be a tough one to pull off. The Saints have killed Atlanta since Drew Brees arrived, and this may not be any different. I just don't see how the Falcons D can match-up this week. If they can get up the middle pressure against Brees, then they should be able to make it a close game. If not, this will be a long Sunday.
Lions - Lost 2 close games, with one being a royal screw job by the refs. Shaun Hill has been an ok replacement for Stafford, but he can't keep it up all season. Jahvid Best has been a huge bright spot so far. Hopefully they'll be able to use him in a multitude of ways to keep opponents off guard. The defense - while slightly better against the run - is still one of the worse in the league.
At Minnesota - Favre the Viking II is definitely starting to look more like Favre the Jet. With his two top outside threats injured, Detroit may have a chance. There is still Adrian Peterson, but he can't do it all himself. And Favre generally doesn't do well at audibling run plays. This could either be a really tight game, or unfortunately a blowout for the Vikings. If the protection can give Hill some time, I think this could come down to the end.
I think that covers everyone's favorite teams, though I'm sure there's a Cowboys fan hiding here somewhere. If that's the case, I think the Texans blow them out. I also don't see the Jets winning in Miami, not with the way Chad Henne has been playing so far and the defense looks just as good as ever.
Patriots - Second half defense has been a problem since last season, and has shown up in both games so far this year. At the same time, the offense has also struggled mightily after halftime, so is it a case of the defense struggling because the offense isn't helping them out? Very well could be. Losing Kevin Faulk for the season with an ACL tear is going to hurt. Thankfully our next game should also be one of the few relatively easy W's we'll have all season.
Vs. Buffalo - Bills haven't beaten NE since 2003, Brady is 15-1 in his career against Buffalo. They have a horrible offensive line, god-awful QBs, and just as bad a defense. They are 31st or 32nd in almost every statistical category. Should help get the Pats back on track.
Ravens - The defense again is carrying the team. Everyone pretty much wrote off the NYJ game as being two tough defenses going at it, but honestly, the Jets defense is completely overrated. Had Baltimore called anything close to a varied gameplan against NY, it would have been a blowout. Hell, if I knew they were going run, run, pass on every set of downs, I'm sure someone on the Jets saw it too. The offense again looked horrible against Cincy. They need Flacco and company to step up. Even Ray Lewis can't keep motivating his side of the ball all season if the offense doesn't hold up their part of the bargain.
Vs. Cleveland - Flacco hasn't lost to the Browns yet, and T Suggs has more sacks against them than any other team. Should spell good things. Plus Cleveland just finds ways to lose. As long as all the minor injuries don't keep Mason, Suggs, and McClain, should be an easy one.
49ers - If someone told me one of these teams would be 0-2 and the other 2-0, I wouldn't have blinked in proclaiming SF to have the better record. Who saw that coming. Singletary has his defense playing like crazy, but again, they are victims of a piss poor offense, who has the talent to be much more effective than they are. Alex Smith is like Chad Pennington, but without the accuracy. That's a big problem, since all Pennington had going for him was crazy accuracy. Not many other choices, though, so you guys are kinda stuck.
at Kansas City - This in all rights should be a victory, but who really knows. The Chiefs do have a dynamic backfield with Jones and Charles, and their special teams are gamebreakers. But their two big name receivers just aren't living up to their hype, and while mobile, Matt Cassell can't avoid all the pressure that San Fran is capable of bringing.
Falcons - Looked really good against Arizona last week, but they are definitely facing a higher caliber opponent this time. Good defenses have always given Matt Ryan trouble, but a healthy Michael Turner should have a good game. Michael Jenkins being able to go also will help, but they have one of the toughest opponents this week.
At New Orleans - This will be a tough one to pull off. The Saints have killed Atlanta since Drew Brees arrived, and this may not be any different. I just don't see how the Falcons D can match-up this week. If they can get up the middle pressure against Brees, then they should be able to make it a close game. If not, this will be a long Sunday.
Lions - Lost 2 close games, with one being a royal screw job by the refs. Shaun Hill has been an ok replacement for Stafford, but he can't keep it up all season. Jahvid Best has been a huge bright spot so far. Hopefully they'll be able to use him in a multitude of ways to keep opponents off guard. The defense - while slightly better against the run - is still one of the worse in the league.
At Minnesota - Favre the Viking II is definitely starting to look more like Favre the Jet. With his two top outside threats injured, Detroit may have a chance. There is still Adrian Peterson, but he can't do it all himself. And Favre generally doesn't do well at audibling run plays. This could either be a really tight game, or unfortunately a blowout for the Vikings. If the protection can give Hill some time, I think this could come down to the end.
I think that covers everyone's favorite teams, though I'm sure there's a Cowboys fan hiding here somewhere. If that's the case, I think the Texans blow them out. I also don't see the Jets winning in Miami, not with the way Chad Henne has been playing so far and the defense looks just as good as ever.